ridicule

noun

rid·i·cule | \ˈri-də-ˌkyül

Definition of ridicule

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the act of ridiculing : derision, mockery

ridicule

verb

ridiculed; ridiculing

Definition of ridicule (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to make fun of

Other Words from ridicule Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about ridicule

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Synonyms for ridicule

Synonyms: Noun

derision, mockery, sport

Synonyms: Verb

deride, gibe (or jibe), jeer, laugh (at), mock, scout, shoot down, skewer

Choose the Right Synonym for ridicule

Verb

ridicule, deride, mock, taunt mean to make an object of laughter of. ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling. consistently ridiculed everything she said deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule. derided their efforts to start their own business mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference. youngsters began to mock the helpless wino taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge. hometown fans taunted the visiting team

Examples of ridicule in a Sentence

Noun

She didn't show anyone her artwork for fear of ridicule. the early efforts by the suffragists to obtain voting rights for women were met with ridicule

Verb

The other kids ridiculed him for the way he dressed. They ridiculed all of her suggestions.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The conventional wisdom is that the DNA report backfired and may damage Ms. Warren’s standing as a possible presidential nominee, providing fodder for ridicule from Kamala Harris, Cory Booker and Joe Biden. — Daniel Henninger, WSJ, "What Is Elizabeth Warren?," 17 Oct. 2018 And now, the president himself has added to the obstacles survivors face with the message, delivered loud and clear, that their accounts are worthy of ridicule. — Anna North, Vox, "Trump’s mockery of Christine Blasey Ford perpetuates rape culture," 3 Oct. 2018 But like many novel scientific ideas, his theory was met with ridicule. — Meg Neal, Popular Mechanics, "We’ve Been Wrong Before: The Expanding Earth Theory," 3 Aug. 2018 The circuitous route was met with ridicule on social media. — New York Times, "Plans for AirTrain to La Guardia Airport Move Ahead Amid Criticism," 25 June 2018 Conservatives who write for liberal publications are subjected to a much higher public standard than their liberal colleagues, whose weakest work is more easily forgiven or overlooked, rather than held up for ridicule. — Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Why Liberal Media Need Conservative Columnists," 10 May 2018 Additionally, countless others have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment and outrage over the show and its dangerously offensive portrayal of plus-size people as unattractive and objects of ridicule. — Andrea Park, Allure, "Why People Are Calling on Netflix to Cancel Insatiable, Its "Toxic" New Series About a Plus-Size Teen," 20 July 2018 Those 13 years of walking on eggshells and fear of ridicule were a study in human psychology better than any textbook could offer. — Kristen Falso-capaldi, Good Housekeeping, "My Father Bullied Me And I'm Actually Grateful for It," 7 June 2017 Although previous failures invited ridicule, nobody is laughing anymore. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "North Korea's Musudan Missile Finally Flies," 23 June 2016

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Separatists who challenge India’s sovereignty over Kashmir did not immediately comment on the political developments, though in the past their leaders have consistently ridiculed pro-India politicians as collaborators. — Washington Post, "India takes direct control in Kashmir after alliance ends," 20 June 2018 Launched by New England craft brewers about five years ago, hazy IPA — also called New England-style IPA or double dry hopped IPA — is often compared to (or ridiculed as) orange juice, both in appearance and taste. — Josh Noel, chicagotribune.com, "Leading craft beer body (finally) acknowledges the hazy IPA craze," 20 Mar. 2018 Multicoin, which owns EOS tokens, released a bullish analysis of the cryptocurrency about a month after comedian John Oliver ridiculed the project on his HBO show Last Week Tonight. — Jen Wieczner, Fortune, "Cryptocurrency Hedge Fund Gets VC Fred Wilson's Backing Amid Bitcoin Slump," 20 June 2018 And while ridiculing the West’s faith in democracy may be plenty of fun for Putin at the moment, it’s also been accompanied by sanctions that have taken a real bite out of the Russian economy. — Ian Bremmer, Time, "Vladimir Putin Is About to Win a Fourth Term. Here's What He's Promised Russia," 16 Mar. 2018 The specter of the government coming to take your guns, an idea often ridiculed on the left, is a very powerful one on the right — just witness the booming firearm sales throughout President Obama’s tenure. — Benjamin Hart, Daily Intelligencer, "‘Gun Control’ Has Outlived Its Usefulness," 24 Feb. 2018 Moore said that transgender people are frequently shamed and ridiculed when out in public, including on public transit or when seeking medical care. — Monique Judge, The Root, "Tonya Harvey Is 3rd Transgender Woman Killed in US in 2018," 10 Feb. 2018 Many patients with gynecomastia speak about being ridiculed because of their condition. — Emma Sarran Webster, Allure, "Why More Men Are Getting Breast Reduction Surgery for Gynecomastia," 31 Jan. 2018 The Taurus has had multiple generations of design—including the third version in 1996 that was ridiculed for its oval shape. — Sarah Gray, Fortune, "Goodbye to the Ford Taurus, the Chariot of my Childhood," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ridicule.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.